Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £18,550 to £27,800
Looks terrific, mixes Italian flair with real quality, has sporty handling but a decent ride, sounds crisp and keen, is roomy and well equipped. Sportwagon estate is much roomier than its 156 equivalent.
Steering too light in some versions, awkward handbrake, mediocre fuel economy, portwagon not that versatile.
Alfa's latest attempt to take on BMW's 3-Series is a worthy rival with substance as well as character. The V6 Q4 is especially good.
Reliability and quality are vitally important qualities in themselves, but a decent dealer network can ease the pain if a car proves troublesome. The service offered by Alfa's dealers has been a weakness in the past, with any problems aggravated because they have not been resolved properly. However, the company has pledged to sort this out - and if its fine words are not backed up with action, there are a number of excellent independent Alfa specialists with a good reputation.
There's a strong sense of improved quality in the 159, though, with good panel fit, decent switchgear and trim and a reassuringly expensive-feeling facia. There's still the odd rattle or squeak in some of the cars tested, but what little hard plastic there is - most interior trim panels are padded - has a pleasing surface treatment.
Now let's see how that customer service turns out.
